Uterine Prolapse

The uterus is held to its place by muscles, ligaments and tissues. Uterine prolapse is a condition when these muscles and tissues become weak and are unable to hold the uterus in place and it will be displaced. The different stages of this condition are:
First-degree prolapse – is when the uterus is displaced into the vagina
Second-degree prolapse – is when the uterus juts out of the vagina opening
Third-degree prolapse – is when the complete uterus is out of the vagina (this condition is called as procidentia)

About 30% of the women who have children are affected by uterine prolapse. This is a rare case among women who have no children or those who have not yet gone through menopause. However, it is common among aged women.

Symptoms

The prolapse of uterus is very painful and quite uncomfortable for the patient. There are cases when the patient does not feel anything and the disease is discovered only after the patient would have gone to the doctor for some check-up. It is not uncommon that they somewhat feel fullness in the pelvic region and also a feeling of something coming down their vagina. If it is a case of second- or third-degree prolapse then the uterus can be seen.

Some of the symptoms include:

• Pain in the lower back region
• Having trouble passing urine
• Experiencing stress incontinence; this is when one passes small amounts of urine when doing some physical activity such as coughing, laughing, sneezing, or lifting heavy objects.
• Having cystitis; a condition when there is a need to urinate often and there is a pain while passing urine
• Having difficulty to walk
• Experiencing pain while having sex

Causes

The following can be the causes for the prolapse of the uterus –

• If one had a prolonged and difficult labour during childbirth or if one gave birth to a baby that is large
• Changes resulting from menopause, like losing of tissue and reduced amount of the hormone oestrogen.
• If the pelvic muscles are weak due to old age or due to lifting of heavy objects
• If the person is overweight, then there is more pressure developed in abdominal area.
• If the person had undergone hysterectomy operation or a bladder repair.
• Excess strain that results in prolonged constipation

Diagnosis

If the patient has some of the aforementioned symptoms or if she feels there is something near the vaginal opening then she has to go to the doctor immediately for consultation. The doctor will examine the first-degree prolapse by making the patient lie down and check for lumps/bumps around the pelvic area. The second- and third-degree does not need internal examination since the uterus is seen.

Treatment

There are many ways to treat prolapse of the uterus. The treatment given depends on the severity and the degree of the prolapse. Women with prolapse and are experiencing menopause have the advantage of they go for hormone replacement treatment or HRT. Other ways are surgeries, namely, suspension and hysterectomy.